Month: June 2016

Refugees assume serious risks in trying to reach safety. At the same time, fears arise in European countries concerning the stability of societies and their ‘way of life’. These fears are increasingly used and manipulated by populist, nationalist political movements stoking the fire of insecurity and xenophobia. The so-called refugee crisis is treated as a security issue rather than a humanitarian one, and this has to be challenged; this is preventing progress gives reason to the fear people have, as real needs are not met, writes the Luntern Conference of the World Council of Churches.
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Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull hosted a Ramadan Iftar on Thursday evening 16 June at Kirribilli House, Sydney, a first by an Australian Prime Minister. The invited guests included Muslim leaders and young activists from all states as well as interfaith representatives from Sydney. Mr Turnbull greeted Muslims saying, “I am honoured to be the first Australian Prime Minister to host an Iftar during the holy month of Ramadan. To the approximately five hundred thousand Muslim Australians across our country and to more than one and half billion Muslims around the world, Ramadan Kareem.”

The Legal and Social Issues Committee of the Victorian Government tabled its final report on the End of Life Choices Inquiry in Parliament on June 9th. The 440 page report conveys the complexity of the issues under consideration. The Core Values we share around death and dying are examined and presented.
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The High Court has thrown out a request to hear an appeal by opponents of Bendigo’s first mosque. Two Bendigo residents have been fighting the planned mosque, arguing the Bendigo City Council failed in their legal obligations to fully consider the social effect of the mosque.

Islamic Scholar Dr. Al-Ninowy of Medina Institute and head of six seminaries, has told: Yet again we find ourselves condemning the irrational and ungodly actions of a madman who was misguided by a wicked and corrupt social and/or political ideology that twists and misinterprets Islam to justify what can only be termed as satanic actions. Our thoughts and prayers are with the victims and their loved ones during this moment of intense sadness.

Last December, representatives of 196 nations did something they’d never before been able to accomplish before. Gathered in Paris, they reached an international agreement on climate change. Together our faith communities were at the heart of making this happen. But there is still more to do. Sacred Earth is a worldwide spiritual event taking place on June 12, 2016. There are events in Australia. This event spans many faith traditions.
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Refugee Week will be celebrated from Sunday, 19 June to Saturday, 25 June, 2016. In observance of Refugee Week, the Shepparton Interfaith Network in collaboration with GOTAFE Multicultural Education Centre will present a seminar and discussion on Australia’s Migration and Australia’s Welcome at the Harder Auditorium on Tuesday 21 June, 2016.

Ramadan did not become a religious obligation for Muslims until the year 624. The obligation to fast is explained in the second chapter of the Quran: “O ye who believe! Fasting is prescribed to you as it was prescribed to those before you, that ye may (learn) self-restraint … Ramadan is the (month) in which was sent down the Quran … and so, in the year 2016 the Muslim communities of the Goulburn Valley commence the month of Ramadan.
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Welcome to Country

Shepparton Interfaith Network acknowledges the traditional owners of country throughout Australia and their continuing connection to land and community. We pay our respect to them and their cultures, and to the elders both past and present.